134 MAUNA LOA. 



losing the track. Fires were again resorted to, which at short dis- 

 tances could be seen in the intervals of mist. 



Deeming it advisable to make an early halt, we stopped shortly after 

 three o'clock, to allow all the baggage to come up. Notwithstanding 

 the size of our party, there was no perceptible track left or any thing 

 by which to be guided, but the smoke of the fires, or occasionally a 

 broken shrub, as a finger-post. All the ground was hard metallic- 

 looking lava, and around nothing but a dreary waste. The voice too 

 became fainter, as the atmosphere grew more rarefied. Our encamp- 

 ment was called the Sunday Station, on account of our having re- 

 mained quietly here on that day. The altitude given by the barometer 

 was six thousand and seventy-one feet, at which we found ourselves 

 above the region of clouds, and could look down upon them. 



At night, on pulling oft" my clothes, I noticed the quantity of electri- 

 cal fluid elicited, which continued for some time to affect the objects 

 about me, particularly a large guanaco-robe I had to sleep in. 



This afternoon, we found that it would be impossible to drive the 

 bullock any further ; for the animal began to suffer from fatigue 

 and the want of water, our supply of which was almost exhausted ; 

 he was accordingly killed. The natives were now hawking water 

 about the camp at half a dollar the quart. I am not aware that 

 they sold any at that extravagant price ; but I saw some of them in 

 possession of handkerchiefs and old shirts, which I understood had been 

 given for it. 



Ragsdale, one of our guides, who had been despatched to Papapala 

 from the crater to purchase provisions, now joined us, with two more 

 guides. He brought information that he had obtained forty goats, 

 and that we should receive full supplies. This was encouraging news, 

 for I felt somewhat doubtful from the first in relying on the natives, 

 and their behaviour at Kilauea was not calculated to raise my opinion 

 of them. I found also, as we ascended the mountain, that even light 

 loads had become heavy, and those of any weight, insupportable; that 

 our time was rapidly passing, and we had a long way yet before we 

 reached the summit; and that the native food was nearly exhausted, 

 while the supply for our own men was rapidly consuming. 



The two guides that Ragsdale brought with him, were perfectly fa- 

 miliar with the mountain. One of them was a celebrated bird-catcher, 

 called Keaweehu, who had been the guide of Lowenstern, and knew 

 ■where water was to be obtained ; but it was ten miles distant. He 

 said, that if he was furnished with calabashes and natives to carry 

 them, he would be able to bring us a supply by the afternoon, if he left 

 before the day dawned ; and that it would be two days before we could 



